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The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

Even as the encryption app Signal became the go-to private communications channel for activists, journalists, politicians , and more, its encrypted calling feature remained less than ideal. It lacks movie, often drops calls, and doesn&#x27;t always integrate with your phone&#x27;s existing features. A Signal update step by step rolling out now upgrades the calling features and adds movie, too—but might require its most privacy-sensitive users to take an extra step to protect themselves.

On Tuesday, Signal&#x27;s creators at the non-profit Open Whisper Systems announced a beta version of the update that, in addition to movie calling, adds the capability to reaction calls from a locked screen, and what they promise will be better call quality. For now, anyone who receives the update can choose activate those fresh features in the "advanced" menu under Signal&#x27;s settings. "We want Signal to be a joy to use," says Moxie Marlinspike, Open Whisper Systems&#x27; founder. "We’re permanently focused on continuing to refine it and add features and functionality that we think people will love."

But anyone testing the beta who links their iPhone to iCloud and wants the same level of privacy Signal has always suggested should consider an extra step, too: Disabling a setting that uploads a call&#x27;s metadata to Apple. The beta upgrade to Signal will use CallKit, Apple&#x27;s framework for permitting VoIP calls like Signal&#x27;s, to be integrated more downright into the calling functionality of the phone. But that also means calls will be recorded in the iPhone&#x27;s call log and, for iCloud users, collective with Apple&#x27;s server. "iOS treats CallKit calls like any other call, however that also means some information will be synced to iCloud if enabled," Open Whisper Systems warns. "This information includes who you called and how long you talked."

For anyone who cringes at the thought of leaking that metadata, however, the fresh Signal beta will let you turn CallKit integration off on the same "Advanced" menu in the app&#x27;s settings. CallKit integration will only be used if it&#x27;s enabled on both completes of the call—if you disable it, your metadata won&#x27;t be leaked by your contact&#x27;s phone, either. And Open Whisper Systems is still considering whether the version of Signal it shoves out after this beta will integrate CallKit by default, or as an opt-in feature.

"How we treat CallKit once this is the default practice isn’t entirely resolved," Marlinspike says. He suggests that the app could mere display "Signal users" in the iPhone&#x27;s call log to protect users&#x27; identities, or Signal may walk users through its settings when once installed, to help people choose their privacy preferences. "There are a bunch of things we can do other than just having it on by default."

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

Even as the encryption app Signal became the go-to private communications channel for activists, journalists, politicians , and more, its encrypted calling feature remained less than ideal. It lacks movie, often drops calls, and doesn&#x27;t always integrate with your phone&#x27;s existing features. A Signal update little by little rolling out now upgrades the calling features and adds movie, too—but might require its most privacy-sensitive users to take an extra step to protect themselves.

On Tuesday, Signal&#x27;s creators at the non-profit Open Whisper Systems announced a beta version of the update that, in addition to movie calling, adds the capability to reaction calls from a locked screen, and what they promise will be better call quality. For now, anyone who receives the update can choose activate those fresh features in the "advanced" menu under Signal&#x27;s settings. "We want Signal to be a joy to use," says Moxie Marlinspike, Open Whisper Systems&#x27; founder. "We’re permanently focused on continuing to refine it and add features and functionality that we think people will love."

But anyone testing the beta who links their iPhone to iCloud and wants the same level of privacy Signal has always suggested should consider an extra step, too: Disabling a setting that uploads a call&#x27;s metadata to Apple. The beta upgrade to Signal will use CallKit, Apple&#x27;s framework for permitting VoIP calls like Signal&#x27;s, to be integrated more entirely into the calling functionality of the phone. But that also means calls will be recorded in the iPhone&#x27;s call log and, for iCloud users, collective with Apple&#x27;s server. "iOS treats CallKit calls like any other call, however that also means some information will be synced to iCloud if enabled," Open Whisper Systems warns. "This information includes who you called and how long you talked."

For anyone who cringes at the thought of leaking that metadata, however, the fresh Signal beta will let you turn CallKit integration off on the same "Advanced" menu in the app&#x27;s settings. CallKit integration will only be used if it&#x27;s enabled on both completes of the call—if you disable it, your metadata won&#x27;t be leaked by your contact&#x27;s phone, either. And Open Whisper Systems is still considering whether the version of Signal it thrusts out after this beta will integrate CallKit by default, or as an opt-in feature.

"How we treat CallKit once this is the default practice isn’t entirely resolved," Marlinspike says. He suggests that the app could mere display "Signal users" in the iPhone&#x27;s call log to protect users&#x27; identities, or Signal may walk users through its settings when once installed, to help people choose their privacy preferences. "There are a bunch of things we can do other than just having it on by default."

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

Even as the encryption app Signal became the go-to private communications channel for activists, journalists, politicians , and more, its encrypted calling feature remained less than flawless. It lacks movie, often drops calls, and doesn&#x27;t always integrate with your phone&#x27;s existing features. A Signal update little by little rolling out now upgrades the calling features and adds movie, too—but might require its most privacy-sensitive users to take an extra step to protect themselves.

On Tuesday, Signal&#x27;s creators at the non-profit Open Whisper Systems announced a beta version of the update that, in addition to movie calling, adds the capability to reaction calls from a locked screen, and what they promise will be better call quality. For now, anyone who receives the update can choose activate those fresh features in the "advanced" menu under Signal&#x27;s settings. "We want Signal to be a joy to use," says Moxie Marlinspike, Open Whisper Systems&#x27; founder. "We’re permanently focused on continuing to refine it and add features and functionality that we think people will love."

But anyone testing the beta who links their iPhone to iCloud and wants the same level of privacy Signal has always suggested should consider an extra step, too: Disabling a setting that uploads a call&#x27;s metadata to Apple. The beta upgrade to Signal will use CallKit, Apple&#x27;s framework for permitting VoIP calls like Signal&#x27;s, to be integrated more totally into the calling functionality of the phone. But that also means calls will be recorded in the iPhone&#x27;s call log and, for iCloud users, collective with Apple&#x27;s server. "iOS treats CallKit calls like any other call, however that also means some information will be synced to iCloud if enabled," Open Whisper Systems warns. "This information includes who you called and how long you talked."

For anyone who cringes at the thought of leaking that metadata, however, the fresh Signal beta will let you turn CallKit integration off on the same "Advanced" menu in the app&#x27;s settings. CallKit integration will only be used if it&#x27;s enabled on both completes of the call—if you disable it, your metadata won&#x27;t be leaked by your contact&#x27;s phone, either. And Open Whisper Systems is still considering whether the version of Signal it shoves out after this beta will integrate CallKit by default, or as an opt-in feature.

"How we treat CallKit once this is the default practice isn’t entirely resolved," Marlinspike says. He suggests that the app could mere display "Signal users" in the iPhone&#x27;s call log to protect users&#x27; identities, or Signal may walk users through its settings when once installed, to help people choose their privacy preferences. "There are a bunch of things we can do other than just having it on by default."

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

Even as the encryption app Signal became the go-to private communications channel for activists, journalists, politicians , and more, its encrypted calling feature remained less than flawless. It lacks movie, often drops calls, and doesn&#x27;t always integrate with your phone&#x27;s existing features. A Signal update little by little rolling out now upgrades the calling features and adds movie, too—but might require its most privacy-sensitive users to take an extra step to protect themselves.

On Tuesday, Signal&#x27;s creators at the non-profit Open Whisper Systems announced a beta version of the update that, in addition to movie calling, adds the capability to reaction calls from a locked screen, and what they promise will be better call quality. For now, anyone who receives the update can choose activate those fresh features in the "advanced" menu under Signal&#x27;s settings. "We want Signal to be a joy to use," says Moxie Marlinspike, Open Whisper Systems&#x27; founder. "We’re permanently focused on continuing to refine it and add features and functionality that we think people will love."

But anyone testing the beta who links their iPhone to iCloud and wants the same level of privacy Signal has always suggested should consider an extra step, too: Disabling a setting that uploads a call&#x27;s metadata to Apple. The beta upgrade to Signal will use CallKit, Apple&#x27;s framework for permitting VoIP calls like Signal&#x27;s, to be integrated more fully into the calling functionality of the phone. But that also means calls will be recorded in the iPhone&#x27;s call log and, for iCloud users, collective with Apple&#x27;s server. "iOS treats CallKit calls like any other call, however that also means some information will be synced to iCloud if enabled," Open Whisper Systems warns. "This information includes who you called and how long you talked."

For anyone who cringes at the thought of leaking that metadata, however, the fresh Signal beta will let you turn CallKit integration off on the same "Advanced" menu in the app&#x27;s settings. CallKit integration will only be used if it&#x27;s enabled on both finishes of the call—if you disable it, your metadata won&#x27;t be leaked by your contact&#x27;s phone, either. And Open Whisper Systems is still considering whether the version of Signal it shoves out after this beta will integrate CallKit by default, or as an opt-in feature.

"How we treat CallKit once this is the default practice isn’t entirely resolved," Marlinspike says. He suggests that the app could mere display "Signal users" in the iPhone&#x27;s call log to protect users&#x27; identities, or Signal may walk users through its settings when once installed, to help people choose their privacy preferences. "There are a bunch of things we can do other than just having it on by default."

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

Even as the encryption app Signal became the go-to private communications channel for activists, journalists, politicians , and more, its encrypted calling feature remained less than flawless. It lacks movie, often drops calls, and doesn&#x27;t always integrate with your phone&#x27;s existing features. A Signal update step by step rolling out now upgrades the calling features and adds movie, too—but might require its most privacy-sensitive users to take an extra step to protect themselves.

On Tuesday, Signal&#x27;s creators at the non-profit Open Whisper Systems announced a beta version of the update that, in addition to movie calling, adds the capability to reaction calls from a locked screen, and what they promise will be better call quality. For now, anyone who receives the update can choose activate those fresh features in the "advanced" menu under Signal&#x27;s settings. "We want Signal to be a joy to use," says Moxie Marlinspike, Open Whisper Systems&#x27; founder. "We’re permanently focused on continuing to refine it and add features and functionality that we think people will love."

But anyone testing the beta who links their iPhone to iCloud and wants the same level of privacy Signal has always suggested should consider an extra step, too: Disabling a setting that uploads a call&#x27;s metadata to Apple. The beta upgrade to Signal will use CallKit, Apple&#x27;s framework for permitting VoIP calls like Signal&#x27;s, to be integrated more downright into the calling functionality of the phone. But that also means calls will be recorded in the iPhone&#x27;s call log and, for iCloud users, collective with Apple&#x27;s server. "iOS treats CallKit calls like any other call, however that also means some information will be synced to iCloud if enabled," Open Whisper Systems warns. "This information includes who you called and how long you talked."

For anyone who cringes at the thought of leaking that metadata, however, the fresh Signal beta will let you turn CallKit integration off on the same "Advanced" menu in the app&#x27;s settings. CallKit integration will only be used if it&#x27;s enabled on both finishes of the call—if you disable it, your metadata won&#x27;t be leaked by your contact&#x27;s phone, either. And Open Whisper Systems is still considering whether the version of Signal it shoves out after this beta will integrate CallKit by default, or as an opt-in feature.

"How we treat CallKit once this is the default practice isn’t entirely resolved," Marlinspike says. He suggests that the app could mere display "Signal users" in the iPhone&#x27;s call log to protect users&#x27; identities, or Signal may walk users through its settings when once installed, to help people choose their privacy preferences. "There are a bunch of things we can do other than just having it on by default."

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

The Best Encrypted Talk App Now Does Movie Calls Too

Even as the encryption app Signal became the go-to private communications channel for activists, journalists, politicians , and more, its encrypted calling feature remained less than ideal. It lacks movie, often drops calls, and doesn&#x27;t always integrate with your phone&#x27;s existing features. A Signal update step by step rolling out now upgrades the calling features and adds movie, too—but might require its most privacy-sensitive users to take an extra step to protect themselves.

On Tuesday, Signal&#x27;s creators at the non-profit Open Whisper Systems announced a beta version of the update that, in addition to movie calling, adds the capability to response calls from a locked screen, and what they promise will be better call quality. For now, anyone who receives the update can choose activate those fresh features in the "advanced" menu under Signal&#x27;s settings. "We want Signal to be a joy to use," says Moxie Marlinspike, Open Whisper Systems&#x27; founder. "We’re permanently focused on continuing to refine it and add features and functionality that we think people will love."

But anyone testing the beta who links their iPhone to iCloud and wants the same level of privacy Signal has always suggested should consider an extra step, too: Disabling a setting that uploads a call&#x27;s metadata to Apple. The beta upgrade to Signal will use CallKit, Apple&#x27;s framework for permitting VoIP calls like Signal&#x27;s, to be integrated more totally into the calling functionality of the phone. But that also means calls will be recorded in the iPhone&#x27;s call log and, for iCloud users, collective with Apple&#x27;s server. "iOS treats CallKit calls like any other call, however that also means some information will be synced to iCloud if enabled," Open Whisper Systems warns. "This information includes who you called and how long you talked."

For anyone who cringes at the thought of leaking that metadata, however, the fresh Signal beta will let you turn CallKit integration off on the same "Advanced" menu in the app&#x27;s settings. CallKit integration will only be used if it&#x27;s enabled on both finishes of the call—if you disable it, your metadata won&#x27;t be leaked by your contact&#x27;s phone, either. And Open Whisper Systems is still considering whether the version of Signal it thrusts out after this beta will integrate CallKit by default, or as an opt-in feature.

"How we treat CallKit once this is the default practice isn’t entirely resolved," Marlinspike says. He suggests that the app could mere display "Signal users" in the iPhone&#x27;s call log to protect users&#x27; identities, or Signal may walk users through its settings when once installed, to help people choose their privacy preferences. "There are a bunch of things we can do other than just having it on by default."